How to wire a turn signal circuit

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How do I wire Turn Signal circuit into a vehicle?

The turn signal circuit of a car, motorcycle, moped, ATV, Side-by-side, snowmobile, etc, generally consists of a switch, between 2-4 bulbs, some wiring, a turn signal flasher, some fuses, and a 4/5 pin relay (See parts list below). Now with that said, there are many ways to wire a turn signal circuit, and this is just the way that I prefer. This method allows you to use a variety of bulbs, without fear of burning up the wiring or the switch. If you want to LED bulbs, be sure to check out the LED video below, because LED's do require some small changes to the circuit.

In the video below, you will learn how to easily wire a turn signal circuit into ANY vehicle, really cheaply.

Parts list used in the turn signal circuit from the video below (You may not need to buy in these quantities, but I did.)

πŸ”— 5 Pack of 5-pin Bosch Style Relays - https://amzn.to/2OfiwXT
πŸ”— 10 Pack of Fuse holders - https://amzn.to/3cU4CoD
πŸ”— 6 Pack of 1157 Bulb Sockets - https://amzn.to/3jtztJU
πŸ”— 3 Way Toggle SPDT Switch (Single Pole, Dual Throw, not-momentary) (Diff brand than video) - https://amzn.to/3abAeDw
πŸ”— 10 Pack of 1157 Bulbs - https://amzn.to/3a1Wa4N
πŸ”— 2 Pin Automotive Turn Signal Flasher (Diff brand than video) https://amzn.to/2YXOslJ
πŸ”— 272 piece fuse variety pack https://amzn.to/3k48cNt
NOTE: As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


How do I wire LED turn signals into a vehicle?

When wiring LED turn signals into a vehicle, you need to use a special turn signal flasher that is meant for LED lights (See parts list below). This is necessary because the LED bulbs do not draw enough amperage to make a non-LED flasher work properly. Non-LED flashers work from heat & resistance running through the electrical circuit. Without that, the lights won't blink. See the video below for an explanation and demonstration.

Parts list used in the turn signal circuit from the video below (You may not need to buy in these quantities, but I did.)

πŸ”— 5 Pack of 5-pin Bosch Style Relays - https://amzn.to/2OfiwXT
πŸ”— 10 Pack of Fuse holders - https://amzn.to/3cU4CoD
πŸ”— 4 Pack of LED Bulbs (1157 style) https://amzn.to/3gcNV8G
πŸ”— 6 Pack of 1157 Bulb Sockets - https://amzn.to/3jtztJU
πŸ”— 3 Way Toggle switch (Diff brand than video) - https://amzn.to/3abAeDw
πŸ”— 10 Pack of 1157 NON-LED Bulbs (old style bulbs) - https://amzn.to/3a1Wa4N
πŸ”— 2 Pin LED Turn Signal Flasher https://amzn.to/3yW8vBx
πŸ”— 272 piece fuse variety pack https://amzn.to/3k48cNt
NOTE: As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


How does a turn signal flasher make the lights blink? How does turn signal work?

A turn signal flasher for a Non-LED circuit has a bimetallic spring inside it that bends as it changes temperature. The change in temperature is caused buy the amperage flowing through it. As the spring heats up, it breaks the electrical contact, and the lights turn off. As the spring cools down, it makes the electrical contact and the lights turn back on. It continues to make and break the electrical in a perfectly timed rythm anytime there is electricity flowing through it. Although these flashers have been around for decades, they are becoming less common due to LED lights. LED light bulbs use far less electricity, and often do not draw enough amperage through the circuit to warm up the bimetallic spring. This causes the turn signals to turn on, but never flash. To correct this for LED usage, you need to swap the non-LED flasher to one that is meant for LED's. LED style flashers use modern circuit board technology to make and break electrical contacts without any moving internal parts. This allows very low amperage bulbs, like LED's flash happily.


How to fix your LED turn signal bulbs that don't blink?

How to wire a turn signal, brake lights, parking lights and 4-way flashers?

This circuit uses the American Autowire 500148 turn signal / brake switch.

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